Christina Rossetti lived 64 years 1830 - 1894 and was born in London, in the Victorian period.
The values the Victorian upheld were those like married before you had kids and your family had to approve of your marriage and the fact. Rossetti wrote a range of children poems and some very strong feminism poems.
The poem is written through the perspective of the person having the love affair, and she kept it secret from her mother and father, but her sister told her parents about it; the betrayal.
Theres a sense of betrayal, anger, jealousy between two sisters. There is also sense of mystery between a murder/death. It's a secret love affair.there is use of rhetorical questions in line 2.
Also in lines 1 and 2, the write repeats 'who told my..' which has a sarcastic reading of an obvious knowledge. There's an idea of shame, as in she's not ashamed of her relationship but her family would shame her if they knew.
In line 3, the syntax is unusual as the removal of sister in the first part of the line makes it more shocking that a family member would betray you.
'lurked' is used in line 4 to emphasise her sister's jealousy. 'Spy and 'Peer' give a sense of sympathy towards the writer as she is being spied on by her own sister.
The writer is abusive and harsh against her sister and her lover.
In lines 5 and 6 there is use of similie and alliteration 'clotted curls', 'cold as stone'.
there is a contradiction between 'Clotted,' and 'Curls'.
In line 7, 'comeliest' is used as a superlative and then 'corpse', this is use of binary opposite.
Line 7 and 8 suggest that he is the most attractive man in the world and she will never find anyone else like that. there is a juxtaposition because comeliest and corpse.
'You might have spared his soul, sister,
Have spared my soul, your own soul too'
There is use of repetition to emphasise that she shouldn't have done it
Though i had not been born at all,
he'd never have looked at you'
Theres a real sense of jealousy on her sisters behalf here and the fact that Maude done it out of spite.
In the fourth stanza it suggests that Maude will be plagued by hell and death as she 'shall get no sleep'
and in the fifth stanza it suggests that her mother and father will be ok as they have done nothing wrong so they shall wear a golden gown and her mother will win a crown.
She also thinks her sins may be be forgivable as she suspects that if her and her lover went to heavens gate they might let her in, but then says 'bide you with death and sin' targeted at her sister, this emphasises the betrayal. The use of sibilance is prominent here is the repetition of 'sister,' this has a religious connotation and the language reflects a snake-like sound with reflects on the original sin where the snake, in the garden of Eden, betrayed Eve. there is also a sense that she is cursing her sister.
Could be compared to sonnet 43 as it starts with a rhetorical, you could link them by the religious aspects.
Also could compare to Brother about the family relationships as growing apart.
Could compare to sonnet 16, you link these through the presentation of love, 'love is eternal'.
Both sonnets are about intense love where this is about intense hatred.
Thursday, 9 February 2012
Tuesday, 7 February 2012
'Compare the way 2 of the poems use language to convey emotions.' - Partial answer.
Different types of emotions are conveyed throughout the relationships section in the anthology. It is something that can be focused on throughout to emphasise the feeling of a moment, a significant event or to express how the writer sees different things. Emotion is used in the poem 'Quickdraw' to emphasise the female speakers feelings of betrayal, hurt and to show how scared she is to lose something precious to her. In 'Brothers', emotion is used to show a sibling relationship and how the early stages of resentment, can have a profound effect later on in life.
Quickdraw uses a lot of enforced breaks in the first three stanzas: this gives an erratic pace like an argument. This is conveyed at the start of the seconds and third stanza mostly.
In the third stanza, through the female speaker, Carol Ann Duffy portrays an emotion of despair, epitomised by the 'Last chance saloon'. This is a metaphor for the couple arguing and are at breaking point, their last chance. The last chance saloon is a bar in America: it's name reveals it's literal meaning.
The use of words with reference to old western, reinforces the fact that she feels wounded and hurt by the things that are suggestively spoken by the other person she is argueing with. this is prtrayed in sentences such as, 'your vocie, a pellet' - 'you choose your spot then blast me'.
Practice Literature Question
Compare the way two of the poems use language to convey emotions:
'The Farmers Bride' by Charlotte Mew and 'The Manhunt' by Simon Armitage both express cold emotions. Although the subject of each poem is different, comparisons are very clear.
'The Farmers Bride' portrays emotion through a relationship. The continuous imagery suggests the farmer and his wife have reached breaking point in their marriage. Line six and seven of the poem use simile and metaphor to put emphasis on the brides emotions using words such as 'her smile went out' and 'the shut of a winters day' comparing her to negative things.
The linguistic techniques are clear in this poem making the insecurities between the couple very real and exaggerated. The use of personification and alliteration at the end of the first stanza make the stanza appear very cold with a sense of no genuine love or heart. This is effective as an opening as it's very bold and striking which immediately catches your attention.
One of the main feelings you gain towards their relationship through the poem it that it is rushed and that the early, initial stages of their relationship were fast and forced. This is suggested by the unpredictable lexis and irregular syntax. The pace of the poem and the unusual way in which it is written reflects the brides behaviour with a dramatic tone.
Through the very male dominated poem, we can gather a sense of what the farmer is like in their relationship. Having this knowledge puts the perspective onto their emotions towards/for each other. There is no sense of belonging, romance or lust, only senses of coldness and insecurity that suggests that they are not emotionally attached to each other and not in harmony with each other. It appears that they're scared to embark on a real relationship and that their relationship is shadowed by thoughts of fear.
The very archaic and basic language puts across a heavy sense of awkwardness between them with a feeling that they don't understand each other, they're not in sync with each other. The semantic field of hunt midway through the poem reflects some of the brides feelings of her husband and we get an insight into what does make her happy.
The constant animal and nature references give us an understanding that she feels happy, content and safe when she is close to animals, nature and the outdoors. The animal imagery reflects her feelings of escapism and freedom in contrast with the feelings she holds for her husband.
'The Manhunt' presents cold emotion in another way. Although the poem still features a relationship, the coldness comes from war and military. The poem features the connection between war and conflict and a woman that's husband has left to fight. With 'The Manhunt', we can ascertain the coldness before we start reading as we know it's about war whereas with 'The Farmers Bride', we gather the cold emotions as we are reading through and understanding the poem. With that poem we gain a sense of sympathy but with 'The Manhunt', we instead gain a sense of admiration.
'The Manhunt' carries the past and the metaphor in the first stanza references to this. The rigid structure reflects the careful operations of the soldiers at war.
'The Farmers Bride' by Charlotte Mew and 'The Manhunt' by Simon Armitage both express cold emotions. Although the subject of each poem is different, comparisons are very clear.
'The Farmers Bride' portrays emotion through a relationship. The continuous imagery suggests the farmer and his wife have reached breaking point in their marriage. Line six and seven of the poem use simile and metaphor to put emphasis on the brides emotions using words such as 'her smile went out' and 'the shut of a winters day' comparing her to negative things.
The linguistic techniques are clear in this poem making the insecurities between the couple very real and exaggerated. The use of personification and alliteration at the end of the first stanza make the stanza appear very cold with a sense of no genuine love or heart. This is effective as an opening as it's very bold and striking which immediately catches your attention.
One of the main feelings you gain towards their relationship through the poem it that it is rushed and that the early, initial stages of their relationship were fast and forced. This is suggested by the unpredictable lexis and irregular syntax. The pace of the poem and the unusual way in which it is written reflects the brides behaviour with a dramatic tone.
Through the very male dominated poem, we can gather a sense of what the farmer is like in their relationship. Having this knowledge puts the perspective onto their emotions towards/for each other. There is no sense of belonging, romance or lust, only senses of coldness and insecurity that suggests that they are not emotionally attached to each other and not in harmony with each other. It appears that they're scared to embark on a real relationship and that their relationship is shadowed by thoughts of fear.
The very archaic and basic language puts across a heavy sense of awkwardness between them with a feeling that they don't understand each other, they're not in sync with each other. The semantic field of hunt midway through the poem reflects some of the brides feelings of her husband and we get an insight into what does make her happy.
The constant animal and nature references give us an understanding that she feels happy, content and safe when she is close to animals, nature and the outdoors. The animal imagery reflects her feelings of escapism and freedom in contrast with the feelings she holds for her husband.
'The Manhunt' presents cold emotion in another way. Although the poem still features a relationship, the coldness comes from war and military. The poem features the connection between war and conflict and a woman that's husband has left to fight. With 'The Manhunt', we can ascertain the coldness before we start reading as we know it's about war whereas with 'The Farmers Bride', we gather the cold emotions as we are reading through and understanding the poem. With that poem we gain a sense of sympathy but with 'The Manhunt', we instead gain a sense of admiration.
'The Manhunt' carries the past and the metaphor in the first stanza references to this. The rigid structure reflects the careful operations of the soldiers at war.
Nettles, Vernon Scannell
Nettles by Vernon Scannell.
Nettles is initally about parental love and a family relationship. There is a feeling of war and revenge with links to the military. The boy featured within the poem is a metaphor for the army and there is an extended metaphor of bad memories. There is a sense of protection throughout this poem and on the 11th and 12th lines, the nettles references could be replaced with soldier references.
The openning states the specific age of the boy similar to Harmonium. There is a juxtaposition between the nettles and his son. There is a very matter of fact discription which is similar to Born Yesterday. The poem explores the connotations of the word 'bed' and 'bed of nettles' which emphasises the nettles. The word 'spears' has a double meaning of weapon and flower stalk.
Personification of the nettles is used on line 3 and the regiment reference features military, archaic language. There is a sense that they are in a very sinister place and that they are hiding. There is a stark contrast with what we associate a bed with and what the bed represents in this poem. There is a shift in language as the poet removes the phrase 'my son' with the less personal article 'the boy'.
Plosive alliteration is used on line 6 and the white and tender skin mentioned relates to innocence and purity. There is a suggestion that two people are involved with the other person being a partner or mum. There is a very regular rhythm to the poem and there is a sense of pain and that can't be completely taken away from the son.
Metaphor is used to emphasise his devastation and up until this point, the nettles have been presented like they are an army themselves. He has helped his son through the devastation but there is an idea that he is preparing an attack by getting his blade ready. He sharpens the blade and the use of the conjunction 'and' is used in repition to show routine and precision to what he is doing.
The word 'slashed' uses sibilence, verb and onomatopeia to speed up the sound and to emphasise the feeling of action. There is also a sense that the father takes pride and is proud. He presents his personified enemy as very hard to beat and organised. There is a precision to what he does with military references throughout.
Personification of nature is used around line 14 and there is an idea that he can't stop his battle against nature. The end of the poem looks at a man's struggle with nature and there is a literal meaning of the poem that his son will get stung again by the nettles. There is also a sense of emotional hurt and that life is an endless battle.
There is a narrative tone to the poem with a moral tone that links with war, the military language suggests this. There is a big contrast between the physical and emotional sufferings within the poem and we get a sense of loss of power. The use of enjambment reflects the pace of battles and emotions. It also helps the poem to sound like a story.
There is continous war imagery and the ideas of anger, revenge and fustration are presented. This poem can be compared to Brothers because of the family relations and responsibility and The Manhunt because of the links to war and the care for a loved one. The use of natural imagery can be compared to Praise Song For My Mother and Born Yesterday compares due to the young child.
Nettles is initally about parental love and a family relationship. There is a feeling of war and revenge with links to the military. The boy featured within the poem is a metaphor for the army and there is an extended metaphor of bad memories. There is a sense of protection throughout this poem and on the 11th and 12th lines, the nettles references could be replaced with soldier references.
The openning states the specific age of the boy similar to Harmonium. There is a juxtaposition between the nettles and his son. There is a very matter of fact discription which is similar to Born Yesterday. The poem explores the connotations of the word 'bed' and 'bed of nettles' which emphasises the nettles. The word 'spears' has a double meaning of weapon and flower stalk.
Personification of the nettles is used on line 3 and the regiment reference features military, archaic language. There is a sense that they are in a very sinister place and that they are hiding. There is a stark contrast with what we associate a bed with and what the bed represents in this poem. There is a shift in language as the poet removes the phrase 'my son' with the less personal article 'the boy'.
Plosive alliteration is used on line 6 and the white and tender skin mentioned relates to innocence and purity. There is a suggestion that two people are involved with the other person being a partner or mum. There is a very regular rhythm to the poem and there is a sense of pain and that can't be completely taken away from the son.
Metaphor is used to emphasise his devastation and up until this point, the nettles have been presented like they are an army themselves. He has helped his son through the devastation but there is an idea that he is preparing an attack by getting his blade ready. He sharpens the blade and the use of the conjunction 'and' is used in repition to show routine and precision to what he is doing.
The word 'slashed' uses sibilence, verb and onomatopeia to speed up the sound and to emphasise the feeling of action. There is also a sense that the father takes pride and is proud. He presents his personified enemy as very hard to beat and organised. There is a precision to what he does with military references throughout.
Personification of nature is used around line 14 and there is an idea that he can't stop his battle against nature. The end of the poem looks at a man's struggle with nature and there is a literal meaning of the poem that his son will get stung again by the nettles. There is also a sense of emotional hurt and that life is an endless battle.
There is a narrative tone to the poem with a moral tone that links with war, the military language suggests this. There is a big contrast between the physical and emotional sufferings within the poem and we get a sense of loss of power. The use of enjambment reflects the pace of battles and emotions. It also helps the poem to sound like a story.
There is continous war imagery and the ideas of anger, revenge and fustration are presented. This poem can be compared to Brothers because of the family relations and responsibility and The Manhunt because of the links to war and the care for a loved one. The use of natural imagery can be compared to Praise Song For My Mother and Born Yesterday compares due to the young child.
Thursday, 26 January 2012
Born Yesterday, Philip Larkin
The poem isn't just based on aesthetics or looks, it has a deeper meaning.
The poem is for a specific person, Sally Amis, which contrasts to many of the poems which are just about general beauty. It is written for his friends daughter, Kingsley Amis.
It has a sentimental tone to the poem and Larkin was named the best post war writer, but recieved the award after death.
The poem is about what it takes to be happy and isn't just about the way you look.
'Tightly folded bud' is a metaphor for the youth. The child is in the nascent stages of life.
'I wished you something, none of the others would' other parents wish different things for their children, mainly about being beautiful.
'Not the usual stuff
About being beautiful,
Or running of a spring
Of innocence and love-' quite unromantic language and down to earth. The language down plays the significance of looks. The use of enjambment makes the list flow. The word 'spring' signifies the start of life, it also uses natural and pure imagery. There is a sense of realism and is quite dismissive of the importance of beauty and innocence.
As you get older looks become less important.
'They will all wish you that' this shows a sense of difference between everyone and shows an older view on love of generally being happy and not just for the beauty.
'And should it prove possible' this phrase shows a sense of doubt towards the poem.
'Well, your a lucky girl' quite a chatty tone. The use of the conjunction 'but' splits the poem and introduces his second line of arguement.
'But if it shouldn't, then
May you be ordinary;' quite insulting.
'Have, like other women,
An average of talents:' you don't want to have to many talents. Also quite sexist. Not as much pressure for boys to feel beautiful. The words ' average' and 'ordinary' are mediocre words to describe the girl.
'Not ugly, not good-looking,
Nothing uncustomary Aliterative repetition on the letter 'N'. Nothing special or unique about her.
To pull you off your balance,
That, unworkable itself,
Stops all the rest from working' if you have all the good talents nothing else will be noticed as you will be the same as everyone else. Conversational tone.
'In fact, may you be dull-
If that is what a skilled,
Vigilant, flexible,
Unemphasised, enthralled
Catching of happiness is called' uses five adjectives in quick succession to show that happiness isn't easy to get. The language structure suggests happiness is difficult to catch, and the last line and the second to last line rhyme. The last three last contrast to the conversational tone of the poem.
This type of poem is an occasional piece. He subverts the fairytale idea of wishing for new and exciting things and instead wishes for useful talents and a genuine happiness.
The poem is written in normal spoken English, which makes the poem more realistic. The poem starts off with an ironic tone and at times cynical and sceptical and he contrasts an extraordinary event, like having a child, with ordinary language and has a sense of tenderness and realism.
Would be good to compare with sonnet 116 as they are both about genuine love. A less obvious link would be To His Coy Mistress, because the structure changes, also the start looks at a wishful side. They both look at peoples values being unrealistic.
The poem is for a specific person, Sally Amis, which contrasts to many of the poems which are just about general beauty. It is written for his friends daughter, Kingsley Amis.
It has a sentimental tone to the poem and Larkin was named the best post war writer, but recieved the award after death.
The poem is about what it takes to be happy and isn't just about the way you look.
'Tightly folded bud' is a metaphor for the youth. The child is in the nascent stages of life.
'I wished you something, none of the others would' other parents wish different things for their children, mainly about being beautiful.
'Not the usual stuff
About being beautiful,
Or running of a spring
Of innocence and love-' quite unromantic language and down to earth. The language down plays the significance of looks. The use of enjambment makes the list flow. The word 'spring' signifies the start of life, it also uses natural and pure imagery. There is a sense of realism and is quite dismissive of the importance of beauty and innocence.
As you get older looks become less important.
'They will all wish you that' this shows a sense of difference between everyone and shows an older view on love of generally being happy and not just for the beauty.
'And should it prove possible' this phrase shows a sense of doubt towards the poem.
'Well, your a lucky girl' quite a chatty tone. The use of the conjunction 'but' splits the poem and introduces his second line of arguement.
'But if it shouldn't, then
May you be ordinary;' quite insulting.
'Have, like other women,
An average of talents:' you don't want to have to many talents. Also quite sexist. Not as much pressure for boys to feel beautiful. The words ' average' and 'ordinary' are mediocre words to describe the girl.
'Not ugly, not good-looking,
Nothing uncustomary Aliterative repetition on the letter 'N'. Nothing special or unique about her.
To pull you off your balance,
That, unworkable itself,
Stops all the rest from working' if you have all the good talents nothing else will be noticed as you will be the same as everyone else. Conversational tone.
'In fact, may you be dull-
If that is what a skilled,
Vigilant, flexible,
Unemphasised, enthralled
Catching of happiness is called' uses five adjectives in quick succession to show that happiness isn't easy to get. The language structure suggests happiness is difficult to catch, and the last line and the second to last line rhyme. The last three last contrast to the conversational tone of the poem.
This type of poem is an occasional piece. He subverts the fairytale idea of wishing for new and exciting things and instead wishes for useful talents and a genuine happiness.
The poem is written in normal spoken English, which makes the poem more realistic. The poem starts off with an ironic tone and at times cynical and sceptical and he contrasts an extraordinary event, like having a child, with ordinary language and has a sense of tenderness and realism.
Would be good to compare with sonnet 116 as they are both about genuine love. A less obvious link would be To His Coy Mistress, because the structure changes, also the start looks at a wishful side. They both look at peoples values being unrealistic.
Wednesday, 25 January 2012
Useful Revision Link Videos
Below is a link to a channel on YouTube. There is useful information on the poems and Of Mice and Men.
All of the work has been done by another teacher and students at a different school. A lot of what is on here is useful.
Use it to support your revision and make notes on things you think will be useful to support your analysis...
http://www.youtube.com/user/mrbruff/videos
Tuesday, 24 January 2012
The Farmer's Bride, Charlotte Mew
The Farmer's Bride by Charlotte Mew.
This poem is about a rushed marriage with the sense of a forced marriage. The poet never achieved much success although acclaim from other successful poets. She spent most of her life in poverty.
The two subjects in this poem are the farmer and his wife. The speaker throughout the poem is the farmer. The first three lines suggest that the farmer was too busy with farming to spend time with his wife. The view of this poem and the look towards women is old fashioned and the syntax is unusual due to the dialect. There is a rhyming couplet at the end of every stanza apart from the last stanza.
There is a sense that the marriage depresses her and we learn that the farmer's wife is androphobic. Line 6 suggests the farmer's wife is cold and the use of linguistic techniques such as personification and metaphor suggest that she is like a frightened fairy and not happy with her life. Non-standard english is used to bring the farmer's personality to life and the incorrect language refelects the farmer's accent.
Line 10 suggests that the farmer's wife is out on her own and that the farmer has lost control of her.
The idea of sheep and animals is extended and there is a sense that she is afraid of falling asleep and that she is a fearful person. Metaphorically, the farmer's wife feels trapped and is being hunted. The mention of church and religion promts a Catholic reading re-inforcing the fact that divorce is frowned upon. Divorce appears as not an option and that the farmer will keep her.
You can physically see the wife's fear and she is not emotionally attached to her husband. There is a big semantic field of hunt and capture due to the sinister tone of the lines 18 and 19. Society has strong sexual views and there is a reading that she is scared to be the 'wife' of the time and have sexual relations. The wife does the housework which makes the male perspective of the poem clear. There is continuous animal imagery but she does complete part of her womanly roles.
Her timid nature comes through with her reluctance to have sex. The language used in this poem is very basic as it reflects the speaker's personal dialect and voice. This suggests that the farmer is unintelligent. Line 25 suggests the idea of begging or pleading with imagery. The wife could be seen as anti-social to the point of being depressed and she is withdrawn of general conversation. The reader feels a sense of sympathy towards the wife.
The farm animals trust the wife which suggests a sense of jealousy from the farmer. There is also no communication between the couple and a sense of awkwardness is presented. This poem is masculinely driven and there is a clear male undertone. The wife gains a sense of escapism and freedom with the animals that she aspires to have with her husband. Line 30 engages the reader by the use of similie and rhetorical question. Time is also presented in this poem with the poem going through the seasons. The time of their marriage is personified by the time of seasons passing.
The trees in Autumn lose their beauty which presents the idea that the farmer's wife is losing her appearence and beauty. The use of dark imagery suggests the marriage is breaking down and the reference to magpies on line 37 suggests that their marriage holds lots of bad luck.
The following reference to Christmas sparks positive thoughts although the poem suggests Christmas is a lonely time for the couple and that they just want to be alone. Christmas won't be as good because she is with the farmer.
The farmer's wife is compared to a 'maid' and the use of enjambent emphasises his frustrations. The farmer is aware of her physical presence which suggets a sense of fustration and insanity. There is a violent tone to the end of the poem and a sense that he has lost control. There is an irregular rhythm to the last stanza which reflects his behaviour and emotions. His connection to his wife is only physical and nothing deeper. You could also argue that he is longing for her.
There is a sense of exasperation from the farmer and that positionally he is there taking what he wants.
The Farmer's Bride coud be compared to 'In Paris With You', 'To His Coy Mistress' and 'Hour'.
This poem is about a rushed marriage with the sense of a forced marriage. The poet never achieved much success although acclaim from other successful poets. She spent most of her life in poverty.
The two subjects in this poem are the farmer and his wife. The speaker throughout the poem is the farmer. The first three lines suggest that the farmer was too busy with farming to spend time with his wife. The view of this poem and the look towards women is old fashioned and the syntax is unusual due to the dialect. There is a rhyming couplet at the end of every stanza apart from the last stanza.
There is a sense that the marriage depresses her and we learn that the farmer's wife is androphobic. Line 6 suggests the farmer's wife is cold and the use of linguistic techniques such as personification and metaphor suggest that she is like a frightened fairy and not happy with her life. Non-standard english is used to bring the farmer's personality to life and the incorrect language refelects the farmer's accent.
Line 10 suggests that the farmer's wife is out on her own and that the farmer has lost control of her.
The idea of sheep and animals is extended and there is a sense that she is afraid of falling asleep and that she is a fearful person. Metaphorically, the farmer's wife feels trapped and is being hunted. The mention of church and religion promts a Catholic reading re-inforcing the fact that divorce is frowned upon. Divorce appears as not an option and that the farmer will keep her.
You can physically see the wife's fear and she is not emotionally attached to her husband. There is a big semantic field of hunt and capture due to the sinister tone of the lines 18 and 19. Society has strong sexual views and there is a reading that she is scared to be the 'wife' of the time and have sexual relations. The wife does the housework which makes the male perspective of the poem clear. There is continuous animal imagery but she does complete part of her womanly roles.
Her timid nature comes through with her reluctance to have sex. The language used in this poem is very basic as it reflects the speaker's personal dialect and voice. This suggests that the farmer is unintelligent. Line 25 suggests the idea of begging or pleading with imagery. The wife could be seen as anti-social to the point of being depressed and she is withdrawn of general conversation. The reader feels a sense of sympathy towards the wife.
The farm animals trust the wife which suggests a sense of jealousy from the farmer. There is also no communication between the couple and a sense of awkwardness is presented. This poem is masculinely driven and there is a clear male undertone. The wife gains a sense of escapism and freedom with the animals that she aspires to have with her husband. Line 30 engages the reader by the use of similie and rhetorical question. Time is also presented in this poem with the poem going through the seasons. The time of their marriage is personified by the time of seasons passing.
The trees in Autumn lose their beauty which presents the idea that the farmer's wife is losing her appearence and beauty. The use of dark imagery suggests the marriage is breaking down and the reference to magpies on line 37 suggests that their marriage holds lots of bad luck.
The following reference to Christmas sparks positive thoughts although the poem suggests Christmas is a lonely time for the couple and that they just want to be alone. Christmas won't be as good because she is with the farmer.
The farmer's wife is compared to a 'maid' and the use of enjambent emphasises his frustrations. The farmer is aware of her physical presence which suggets a sense of fustration and insanity. There is a violent tone to the end of the poem and a sense that he has lost control. There is an irregular rhythm to the last stanza which reflects his behaviour and emotions. His connection to his wife is only physical and nothing deeper. You could also argue that he is longing for her.
There is a sense of exasperation from the farmer and that positionally he is there taking what he wants.
The Farmer's Bride coud be compared to 'In Paris With You', 'To His Coy Mistress' and 'Hour'.
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